Amor Volat

Amor volat undique;
Captus est libidine.
Iuvenes iuvencule
Que secuntur merito,
Si que sine socio.
[Taken from Carmina Burana]

Amor tenet omnia,
Mutat cordis intima,
Querit Amor devia.
Amor melle dulcior,
Felle fit amarior.

Amor simplex, callidus;
Rufus Amor, pallidus;
Truculens in omnibus,
Amor est placabilis,
Constans et instabilis.
Amor regit iuvenes,
Amor capit virgines.

Frigidus et calidus
Numquam tibi socius!
Dormit dolens sepius
In natura frigidus;
Nichil tibi vilius.

[English translation:]

Love Flies

Love flies everywhere
Captured by pleasure;
Boys and maidens
Who rightly follow it
If someone is alone.

Love possesses all things,
Transforms the intimacy of heart
Searches for wild paths.
Sweeter than honey
Becomes more bitter than gall.

Love simple or clever
Sanguine or pale
Cruel towards everyone.
Love is merciful
Constant and unstable.
Love rules the young
And captures the maidens.

Cold and warm
Never your companion
Sleeps very often painfully
Cold in its nature,
Nothing for you is vile anymore.